Frozen Four: Walking the Red Carpet

ST. PAUL -- It screams "Made for TV," which isn't my favorite thing, but it could also turn into a pretty cool idea.

At the Frozen Four Thursday, fans are invited to greet the players in each of the two games as they arrive on the "red carpet" at the XCel Energy Center.

The event will likely be shot by ESPN as part of their Frozen Four coverage, and if enough people show up, it should look pretty good on TV, along with being a unique and enjoyable experience for the players on all four teams.

Here is the information from the NCAA and St. Paul organizers.

The schedule has been confirmed for the 2011 NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four®  Red Carpet Entrance for teams as they arrive for their respective games. Hockey fans are invited to cheer on their teams as they make a red carpet entrance through the west doors of Saint Paul RiverCentre, adjacent to Xcel Energy Center on Kellogg Blvd. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. Cameras are welcome. No autographs will be permitted.

Ticketed fans who have already entered Xcel Energy Center for the first semifinal game may obtain a hand stamp at Gate 1 to gain access to the red carpet area on Thursday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Team buses are expected to arrive at the Saint Paul RiverCentre cut-out along Kellogg Blvd. as follows:

Thursday, April 7
*1:45 p.m.          Notre Dame
*2:00 p.m.          Minnesota Duluth
*5:30 p.m.          North Dakota
*5:50 p.m.          Michigan

Saturday, April 9
*4 p.m.               National championship teams arrive

*Times are approximate. Fans and media are encouraged to arrive early.

Gates will open for the first semifinal at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Also, if you're going to be in St. Paul on Friday, and you're looking for something to do, the semifinal winners will be conducting open practice sessions starting just after 11 a.m. at the XCel Energy Center.